1αὐτὰρ ὁ γυμνώθη ῥακέων πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,But now he stripped himself of his rags, resourceful Odysseus,
ἆλτο δʼ ἐπὶ μέγαν οὐδόν, ἔχων βιὸν ἠδὲ φαρέτρηνand leapt onto the great threshold, holding the bow and quiver
ἰῶν ἐμπλείην, ταχέας δʼ ἐκχεύατʼ ὀϊστοὺςfull of arrows, and poured the swift shafts out
αὐτοῦ πρόσθε ποδῶν, μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπεν·there before his feet, and spoke among the suitors:
5οὗτος μὲν δὴ ἄεθλος ἀάατος ἐκτετέλεσται·"So now this harmless contest has been brought to its end;
νῦν αὖτε σκοπὸν ἄλλον, ὃν οὔ πώ τις βάλεν ἀνήρ,now once more I will see another mark, one no man
εἴσομαι, αἴ κε τύχωμι, πόρῃ δέ μοι εὖχος Ἀπόλλων.has yet struck, if I can hit it, and Apollo grant me glory."
ἦ καὶ ἐπʼ Ἀντινόῳ ἰθύνετο πικρὸν ὀϊστόν.He spoke, and aimed a bitter arrow straight at Antinous.
ἦ τοι ὁ καλὸν ἄλεισον ἀναιρήσεσθαι ἔμελλε,Now he was on the point of lifting a fine goblet,
10χρύσεον ἄμφωτον, καὶ δὴ μετὰ χερσὶν ἐνώμα,golden, two-handled, and was turning it in his hands
ὄφρα πίοι οἴνοιο· φόνος δέ οἱ οὐκ ἐνὶ θυμῷto drink of the wine; and death was not in his heart's
μέμβλετο· τίς κʼ οἴοιτο μετʼ ἀνδράσι δαιτυμόνεσσιthoughts—for who, among men at a feast,
μοῦνον ἐνὶ πλεόνεσσι, καὶ εἰ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη,would think that one man among so many, however mighty,
οἷ τεύξειν θάνατόν τε κακὸν καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν;could bring on him an evil death and black doom?
15τὸν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς κατὰ λαιμὸν ἐπισχόμενος βάλεν ἰῷ,But Odysseus took aim and struck him with the arrow in the throat,
ἀντικρὺ δʼ ἁπαλοῖο διʼ αὐχένος ἤλυθʼ ἀκωκή.and the point drove clean through the soft neck.
ἐκλίνθη δʼ ἑτέρωσε, δέπας δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε χειρὸςHe slumped to the side, and the cup fell from his hand
βλημένου, αὐτίκα δʼ αὐλὸς ἀνὰ ῥῖνας παχὺς ἦλθενas he was struck, and at once a thick jet spurted up his nostrils,
αἵματος ἀνδρομέοιο· θοῶς δʼ ἀπὸ εἷο τράπεζανof human blood; and swiftly with his foot he thrust
20ὦσε ποδὶ πλήξας, ἀπὸ δʼ εἴδατα χεῦεν ἔραζε·the table from him, kicking it, and spilled the food to the ground;
σῖτός τε κρέα τʼ ὀπτὰ φορύνετο. τοὶ δʼ ὁμάδησανthe bread and roast meat were fouled. And they raised an uproar,
μνηστῆρες κατὰ δώμαθʼ, ὅπως ἴδον ἄνδρα πεσόντα,the suitors through the hall, when they saw the man fall,
ἐκ δὲ θρόνων ἀνόρουσαν ὀρινθέντες κατὰ δῶμα,and sprang up from their chairs, driven in terror through the hall,
πάντοσε παπταίνοντες ἐϋδμήτους ποτὶ τοίχους·peering everywhere along the well-built walls;
25οὐδέ πη ἀσπὶς ἔην οὐδʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἑλέσθαι.but nowhere was there a shield or a strong spear to seize.
νείκειον δʼ Ὀδυσῆα χολωτοῖσιν ἐπέεσσι·And they reviled Odysseus with angry words:
ξεῖνε, κακῶς ἀνδρῶν τοξάζεαι· οὐκέτʼ ἀέθλων"Stranger, to your cost you shoot at men; no more contests
ἄλλων ἀντιάσεις· νῦν τοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.will you take part in; now sheer destruction is certain for you.
καὶ γὰρ δὴ νῦν φῶτα κατέκτανες ὃς μέγʼ ἄριστοςFor now you have killed a man who was far the best
30κούρων εἰν Ἰθάκῃ· τῷ σʼ ἐνθάδε γῦπες ἔδονται.of the young men in Ithaca; so here the vultures shall eat you."
ἴσκεν ἕκαστος ἀνήρ, ἐπεὶ ἦ φάσαν οὐκ ἐθέλονταSo each man supposed, since indeed they thought he had not meant
ἄνδρα κατακτεῖναι· τὸ δὲ νήπιοι οὐκ ἐνόησαν,to kill the man; but in their folly they did not perceive
ὡς δή σφιν καὶ πᾶσιν ὀλέθρου πείρατʼ ἐφῆπτο.that over them, over all of them, the cords of ruin were fastened.
τοὺς δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·Then with a dark glance resourceful Odysseus spoke to them:
35ὦ κύνες, οὔ μʼ ἔτʼ ἐφάσκεθʼ ὑπότροπον οἴκαδʼ
ἱκέσθαι"You dogs, you kept saying I would never come home again
δήμου ἄπο Τρώων, ὅτι μοι κατεκείρετε οἶκον,from the land of the Trojans, and so you ravaged my house,
δμῳῇσιν δὲ γυναιξὶ παρευνάζεσθε βιαίως,and forced yourselves upon the serving women in their beds,
αὐτοῦ τε ζώοντος ὑπεμνάασθε γυναῖκα,and while I still lived you wooed my wife in secret,
οὔτε θεοὺς δείσαντες, οἳ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,fearing neither the gods who hold the wide heaven,
40οὔτε τινʼ ἀνθρώπων νέμεσιν κατόπισθεν ἔσεσθαι·nor that any indignation of men would fall on you hereafter.
νῦν ὑμῖν καὶ πᾶσιν ὀλέθρου πείρατʼ ἐφῆπται.Now over you, over all of you, the cords of ruin are fastened."
ὣς φάτο, τοὺς δʼ ἄρα πάντας ὑπὸ χλωρὸν δέος
εἷλεν·So he spoke, and pale green fear seized them all;
πάπτηνεν δὲ ἕκαστος ὅπη φύγοι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.and each man looked about him, where he might escape sheer destruction.
Εὐρύμαχος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·But Eurymachus alone answered him and spoke:
45εἰ μὲν δὴ Ὀδυσεὺς Ἰθακήσιος εἰλήλουθας,"If you are indeed Odysseus of Ithaca, come home,
ταῦτα μὲν αἴσιμα εἶπας, ὅσα ῥέζεσκον Ἀχαιοί,then you have spoken justly of all these things the Achaeans did,
πολλὰ μὲν ἐν μεγάροισιν ἀτάσθαλα, πολλὰ δʼ ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ.the many reckless deeds in the halls, and many in the fields.
ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἤδη κεῖται ὃς αἴτιος ἔπλετο πάντων,But he already lies dead who was the cause of all,
Ἀντίνοος· οὗτος γὰρ ἐπίηλεν τάδε ἔργα,Antinous; for he it was who set these deeds in motion,
50οὔ τι γάμου τόσσον κεχρημένος οὐδὲ χατίζων,not so much longing for the marriage or in need of it,
ἀλλʼ ἄλλα φρονέων, τά οἱ οὐκ ἐτέλεσσε Κρονίων,but scheming other things, which the son of Cronos did not fulfill:
ὄφρʼ Ἰθάκης κατὰ δῆμον ἐϋκτιμένης βασιλεύοιthat over the people of well-built Ithaca he might himself be king,
αὐτός, ἀτὰρ σὸν παῖδα κατακτείνειε λοχήσας.and might kill your son, having ambushed him in waiting.
νῦν δʼ ὁ μὲν ἐν μοίρῃ πέφαται, σὺ δὲ φείδεο λαῶνNow he is slain by his due fate, and you—spare your own people;
55σῶν· ἀτὰρ ἄμμες ὄπισθεν ἀρεσσάμενοι κατὰ δῆμον,and afterward we, making amends throughout the land,
ὅσσα τοι ἐκπέποται καὶ ἐδήδοται ἐν μεγάροισι,for all that has been drunk and eaten in your halls,
τιμὴν ἀμφὶς ἄγοντες ἐεικοσάβοιον ἕκαστος,bringing each man the price of twenty oxen,
χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τʼ ἀποδώσομεν, εἰς ὅ κε σὸν κῆρwill pay you back in bronze and gold, until your heart
ἰανθῇ· πρὶν δʼ οὔ τι νεμεσσητὸν κεχολῶσθαι.is warmed; but until then no one can blame you for your anger."
60τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then with a dark glance resourceful Odysseus spoke to him:
Εὐρύμαχʼ, οὐδʼ εἴ μοι πατρώϊα πάντʼ ἀποδοῖτε,"Eurymachus, not even if you gave me back all your fathers' goods,
ὅσσα τε νῦν ὔμμʼ ἐστὶ καὶ εἴ ποθεν ἄλλʼ ἐπιθεῖτε,all that is yours now and whatever else you might add from elsewhere,
οὐδέ κεν ὣς ἔτι χεῖρας ἐμὰς λήξαιμι φόνοιοnot even so would I hold my hands from slaughter
πρὶν πᾶσαν μνηστῆρας ὑπερβασίην ἀποτῖσαι.until the suitors had paid for all their transgression.
65νῦν ὑμῖν παράκειται ἐναντίον ἠὲ μάχεσθαιNow the choice lies before you: either to fight me face to face,
ἢ φεύγειν, ὅς κεν θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξῃ·or to flee, if any of you can escape death and the fates;
ἀλλά τινʼ οὐ φεύξεσθαι ὀΐομαι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.but I think that not one shall escape sheer destruction."
ὣς φάτο, τῶν δʼ αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον
ἦτορ.So he spoke, and their knees went slack there, and the heart within them.
τοῖσιν δʼ Εὐρύμαχος προσεφώνεε δεύτερον αὖτις·And Eurymachus spoke to them a second time again:
70ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γὰρ σχήσει ἀνὴρ ὅδε χεῖρας
ἀάπτους,"Friends, this man will not hold back his invincible hands,
ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ ἔλλαβε τόξον ἐΰξοον ἠδὲ φαρέτρην,but now that he has seized the polished bow and quiver,
οὐδοῦ ἄπο ξεστοῦ τοξάσσεται, εἰς ὅ κε πάνταςhe will shoot from the smooth threshold until he has killed
ἄμμε κατακτείνῃ· ἀλλὰ μνησώμεθα χάρμης.us all; so let us take thought of battle.
φάσγανά τε σπάσσασθε καὶ ἀντίσχεσθε τραπέζαςDraw your swords, and hold up the tables against
75ἰῶν ὠκυμόρων· ἐπὶ δʼ αὐτῷ πάντες ἔχωμενhis swift-dealing arrows; and let us all charge at him
ἀθρόοι, εἴ κέ μιν οὐδοῦ ἀπώσομεν ἠδὲ θυράων,in a mass, if we can drive him from the threshold and the doors,
ἔλθωμεν δʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ, βοὴ δʼ ὤκιστα γένοιτο·and go through the town, and quickly raise the alarm;
τῷ κε τάχʼ οὗτος ἀνὴρ νῦν ὕστατα τοξάσσαιτο.then soon this man would have shot for the last time."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας εἰρύσσατο φάσγανον ὀξὺSo having spoken, he drew his sharp sword,
80χάλκεον, ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἀκαχμένον, ἆλτο δʼ ἐπʼ αὐτῷof bronze, whetted on both edges, and leaped upon him
σμερδαλέα ἰάχων· ὁ δʼ ἁμαρτῆ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺςwith a terrible cry; but at the same moment godlike Odysseus
ἰὸν ἀποπροίει, βάλε δὲ στῆθος παρὰ μαζόν,let fly an arrow, and struck his chest beside the nipple,
ἐν δέ οἱ ἥπατι πῆξε θοὸν βέλος· ἐκ δʼ ἄρα χειρὸςand drove the swift shaft into his liver; and from his hand
φάσγανον ἧκε χαμᾶζε, περιρρηδὴς δὲ τραπέζῃhe let the sword fall to the ground, and doubled over the table
85κάππεσεν ἰδνωθείς, ἀπὸ δʼ εἴδατα χεῦεν ἔραζεhe collapsed and crumpled, and spilled the food to the floor
καὶ δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον· ὁ δὲ χθόνα τύπτε μετώπῳand the two-handled cup; and he beat the ground with his forehead
θυμῷ ἀνιάζων, ποσὶ δὲ θρόνον ἀμφοτέροισιin agony of spirit, and with both his feet
λακτίζων ἐτίνασσε· κατʼ ὀφθαλμῶν δʼ ἔχυτʼ ἀχλύς.he kicked and shook the chair; and mist poured over his eyes.
Ἀμφίνομος δʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἐείσατο κυδαλίμοιοThen Amphinomus rushed straight at glorious Odysseus,
90ἀντίος ἀΐξας, εἴρυτο δὲ φάσγανον ὀξύ,charging in, and he drew his sharp sword,
εἴ πώς οἱ εἴξειε θυράων. ἀλλʼ ἄρα μιν φθῆto see if he might yield the doorway to him. But Telemachus
Τηλέμαχος κατόπισθε βαλὼν χαλκήρεϊ δουρὶstruck him first from behind with his bronze-tipped spear,
ὤμων μεσσηγύς, διὰ δὲ στήθεσφιν ἔλασσεν·between the shoulders, and drove it through his chest;
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, χθόνα δʼ ἤλασε παντὶ μετώπῳ.and he crashed as he fell, and struck the ground with his whole forehead.
95Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἀπόρουσε, λιπὼν δολιχόσκιον ἔγχοςAnd Telemachus sprang back, leaving the long-shadowing spear
αὐτοῦ ἐν Ἀμφινόμῳ· περὶ γὰρ δίε μή τις Ἀχαιῶνthere in Amphinomus; for he greatly feared that one of the Achaeans
ἔγχος ἀνελκόμενον δολιχόσκιον ἢ ἐλάσειεmight, as he drew out the long-shadowing spear,
φασγάνῳ ἀΐξας ἠὲ προπρηνέα τύψας.charge with a sword or stab him as he stooped forward.
βῆ δὲ θέειν, μάλα δʼ ὦκα φίλον πατέρʼ εἰσαφίκανεν,He set off running, and very quickly reached his dear father,
100ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and standing near him he spoke winged words:
ὦ πάτερ, ἤδη τοι σάκος οἴσω καὶ δύο δοῦρε"Father, now I will bring you a shield and two spears
καὶ κυνέην πάγχαλκον, ἐπὶ κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖανand a helmet all of bronze, fitted to the temples,
αὐτός τʼ ἀμφιβαλεῦμαι ἰών, δώσω δὲ συβώτῃand I myself will arm as I go, and I will give to the swineherd
καὶ τῷ βουκόλῳ ἄλλα· τετευχῆσθαι γὰρ ἄμεινον.and to the cowherd others; for it is better to be armed."
105τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
οἶσε θέων, ἧός μοι ἀμύνεσθαι πάρʼ ὀϊστοί,"Bring them at a run, while I have arrows to defend myself,
μή μʼ ἀποκινήσωσι θυράων μοῦνον ἐόντα.lest they push me from the doorway, being alone."
ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ φίλῳ ἐπεπείθετο πατρί,So he spoke, and Telemachus obeyed his dear father,
βῆ δʼ ἴμεναι θάλαμόνδʼ, ὅθι οἱ κλυτὰ τεύχεα κεῖτο.and set off to the storeroom, where his famous armor lay.
110ἔνθεν τέσσαρα μὲν σάκεʼ ἔξελε, δούρατα δʼ ὀκτὼFrom there he took out four shields, and eight spears,
καὶ πίσυρας κυνέας χαλκήρεας ἱπποδασείας·and four helmets of bronze with thick horsehair crests;
βῆ δὲ φέρων, μάλα δʼ ὦκα φίλον πατέρʼ εἰσαφίκανεν,and he set off carrying them, and very quickly reached his dear father,
αὐτὸς δὲ πρώτιστα περὶ χροῒ δύσετο χαλκόν·and first of all he himself put the bronze about his body;
ὣς δʼ αὔτως τὼ δμῶε δυέσθην τεύχεα καλά,and in the same way the two servants put on the fine armor,
115ἔσταν δʼ ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆα δαΐφρονα ποικιλομήτην.and stood beside Odysseus, skilled in war and of intricate cunning.
αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ, ὄφρα μὲν αὐτῷ ἀμύνεσθαι ἔσαν ἰοί.But he, so long as he had arrows to defend himself,
τόφρα μνηστήρων ἕνα γʼ αἰεὶ ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳkept striking one after another of the suitors in his house,
βάλλε τιτυσκόμενος· τοὶ δʼ ἀγχιστῖνοι ἔπιπτον.taking aim; and they fell thick and fast.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ λίπον ἰοὶ ὀϊστεύοντα ἄνακτα,But when the arrows failed the lord as he shot,
120τόξον μὲν πρὸς σταθμὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιοhe leaned the bow against the doorpost of the well-built hall,
ἔκλινʼ ἑστάμεναι, πρὸς ἐνώπια παμφανόωντα,to lean against the shining surface of the wall,
αὐτὸς δʼ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισι σάκος θέτο τετραθέλυμνον,and he himself set the fourfold shield about his shoulders,
κρατὶ δʼ ἐπʼ ἰφθίμῳ κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκεν,and on his mighty head he placed a well-made helmet,
ἵππουριν, δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν·with a horsehair crest, and terribly the plume nodded above;
125εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμα δοῦρε δύω κεκορυθμένα χαλκῷ.and he took up two strong spears tipped with bronze.
ὀρσοθύρη δέ τις ἔσκεν ἐϋδμήτῳ ἐνὶ τοίχῳ,Now there was a side-door set in the well-built wall,
ἀκρότατον δὲ παρʼ οὐδὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιοand at the highest point along the threshold of the strong hall
ἦν ὁδὸς ἐς λαύρην, σανίδες δʼ ἔχον εὖ ἀραρυῖαι.there was a passage into a corridor, closed by well-fitted boards.
τὴν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς φράζεσθαι ἀνώγει δῖον ὑφορβὸνOdysseus ordered the godlike swineherd to watch it,
130ἑσταότʼ ἄγχʼ αὐτῆς· μία δʼ οἴη γίγνετʼ ἐφορμή.standing close beside it; for that was the one way in.
τοῖς δʼ Ἀγέλεως μετέειπεν, ἔπος πάντεσσι πιφαύσκων·Then Agelaus spoke among them, declaring his word to all:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἀνʼ ὀρσοθύρην ἀναβαίη"Friends, could not someone climb up through the side-door
καὶ εἴποι λαοῖσι, βοὴ δʼ ὤκιστα γένοιτο;and tell the people, and quickly raise the alarm?
τῷ κε τάχʼ οὗτος ἀνὴρ νῦν ὕστατα τοξάσσαιτο.Then soon this man would shoot for the very last time."
135τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν·Then Melanthius the goatherd answered him:
οὔ πως ἔστʼ, Ἀγέλαε διοτρεφές· ἄγχι γὰρ αἰνῶς"It cannot be done, Agelaus, nurtured by Zeus; for terribly close
αὐλῆς καλὰ θύρετρα καὶ ἀργαλέον στόμα λαύρης·is the fine door of the courtyard, and hard is the mouth of the corridor;
καί χʼ εἷς πάντας ἐρύκοι ἀνήρ, ὅς τʼ ἄλκιμος εἴη.one man alone could hold them all off, if he were valiant.
ἀλλʼ ἄγεθʼ, ὑμῖν τεύχεʼ ἐνείκω θωρηχθῆναιBut come, let me bring you armor to arm yourselves,
140ἐκ θαλάμου· ἔνδον γάρ, ὀΐομαι, οὐδέ πη ἄλλῃfrom the storeroom; for inside, I think, and nowhere else,
τεύχεα κατθέσθην Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ φαίδιμος υἱός.Odysseus and his glorious son have stowed the armor."
ὣς εἰπὼν ἀνέβαινε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν,So speaking, Melanthius the goatherd climbed up
εἰς θαλάμους Ὀδυσῆος ἀνὰ ῥῶγας μεγάροιο.to the storerooms of Odysseus, by the vents of the hall.
ἔνθεν δώδεκα μὲν σάκεʼ ἔξελε, τόσσα δὲ δοῦραFrom there he took out twelve shields, and as many spears,
145καὶ τόσσας κυνέας χαλκήρεας ἱπποδασείας·and as many helmets of bronze with thick horsehair crests;
βῆ δʼ ἴμεναι, μάλα δʼ ὦκα φέρων μνηστῆρσιν ἔδωκεν.and he went and, very quickly bringing them, gave them to the suitors.
καὶ τότʼ Ὀδυσσῆος λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ,And then Odysseus' knees and dear heart went slack,
ὡς περιβαλλομένους ἴδε τεύχεα χερσί τε δοῦραwhen he saw them putting the armor about their bodies and in their hands
μακρὰ τινάσσοντας· μέγα δʼ αὐτῷ φαίνετο ἔργον.brandishing the long spears; and great seemed to him the task.
150αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·At once he spoke winged words to Telemachus:
Τηλέμαχʼ, ἦ μάλα δή τις ἐνὶ μεγάροισι
γυναικῶν"Telemachus, surely some one of the women in the halls
νῶϊν ἐποτρύνει πόλεμον κακὸν ἠὲ Μελανθεύς.is stirring up an evil war against us both, or Melanthius."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
ὦ πάτερ, αὐτὸς ἐγὼ τόδε γʼ ἤμβροτον—οὐδέ τις ἄλλος"Father, I myself was at fault in this—no one else
155αἴτιος—ὃς θαλάμοιο θύρην πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖανis to blame—for the well-fitted door of the storeroom
κάλλιπον ἀγκλίνας· τῶν δὲ σκοπὸς ἦεν ἀμείνων.I left ajar when I swung it open; their watcher was the sharper.
ἀλλʼ ἴθι, δῖʼ Εὔμαιε, θύρην ἐπίθες θαλάμοιοBut go, godlike Eumaeus, put the door of the storeroom to,
καὶ φράσαι ἤ τις ἄρʼ ἐστὶ γυναικῶν ἣ τάδε ῥέζει,and find out whether it is some one of the women who does this,
ἢ υἱὸς Δολίοιο, Μελανθεύς, τόν περ ὀΐω.or Dolius' son, Melanthius, as I suspect."
160ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,So they spoke such things to one another,
βῆ δʼ αὖτις θάλαμόνδε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν,Melanthius, the goatherd of the goats, went again to the storeroom,
οἴσων τεύχεα καλά. νόησε δὲ δῖος ὑφορβός,to fetch fine armor. But the godlike swineherd noticed,
αἶψα δʼ Ὀδυσσῆα προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα·and quickly he spoke to Odysseus, who was near:
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,"Zeus-born son of Laertes, resourceful Odysseus,
165κεῖνος δʼ αὖτʼ ἀΐδηλος ἀνήρ, ὃν ὀϊόμεθʼ αὐτοί,there again is that ruinous man, the one we suspected,
ἔρχεται ἐς θάλαμον· σὺ δέ μοι νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες,going to the storeroom. Tell me the truth now:
ἤ μιν ἀποκτείνω, αἴ κε κρείσσων γε γένωμαι,shall I kill him, if I prove the stronger,
ἦε σοὶ ἐνθάδʼ ἄγω, ἵνʼ ὑπερβασίας ἀποτίσῃor bring him here to you, to pay for his transgressions,
πολλάς, ὅσσας οὗτος ἐμήσατο σῷ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.the many he has plotted here within your house?"
170τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
ἦ τοι ἐγὼ καὶ Τηλέμαχος μνηστῆρας ἀγαυοὺς"Truly Telemachus and I will hold the lordly suitors
σχήσομεν ἔντοσθεν μεγάρων, μάλα περ μεμαῶτας.within the halls, however fiercely they press on.
σφῶϊ δʼ ἀποστρέψαντε πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθενBut you two twist his feet and hands behind his back,
ἐς θάλαμον βαλέειν, σανίδας δʼ ἐκδῆσαι ὄπισθε,and throw him into the storeroom, and lash boards behind him,
175σειρὴν δὲ πλεκτὴν ἐξ αὐτοῦ πειρήναντεand fasten a braided rope about his body,
κίονʼ ἀνʼ ὑψηλὴν ἐρύσαι πελάσαι τε δοκοῖσιν,and haul him up along the high pillar, close to the rafters,
ὥς κεν δηθὰ ζωὸς ἐὼν χαλέπʼ ἄλγεα πάσχῃ·so that living he may long endure grievous pains."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδʼ
ἐπίθοντο,So he spoke, and they heard him well and obeyed,
βὰν δʼ ἴμεν ἐς θάλαμον, λαθέτην δέ μιν ἔνδον ἐόντα.and went to the storeroom, unseen by him within.
180ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν θαλάμοιο μυχὸν κάτα τεύχεʼ ἐρεύνα,Truly he was searching for armor in the storeroom's recess,
τὼ δʼ ἔσταν ἑκάτερθε παρὰ σταθμοῖσι μένοντε.while the two stood waiting on either side of the doorposts.
εὖθʼ ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἔβαινε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν,And when Melanthius, the goatherd of the goats, stepped over the threshold,
τῇ ἑτέρῃ μὲν χειρὶ φέρων καλὴν τρυφάλειαν,carrying in one hand a fine helmet,
τῇ δʼ ἑτέρῃ σάκος εὐρὺ γέρον, πεπαλαγμένον ἄζῃ,and in the other a broad shield, old and caked with mold,
185Λαέρτεω ἥρωος, ὃ κουρίζων φορέεσκε·the shield of the hero Laertes, which he had borne in his youth—
δὴ τότε γʼ ἤδη κεῖτο, ῥαφαὶ δὲ λέλυντο ἱμάντων·but now it lay there, and the seams of its straps were loosened—
τὼ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπαΐξανθʼ ἑλέτην ἔρυσάν τέ μιν εἴσωthe two rushed at him, seized him, and dragged him inside
κουρίξ, ἐν δαπέδῳ δὲ χαμαὶ βάλον ἀχνύμενον κῆρ,by the hair, and threw him down on the floor, grieved at heart,
σὺν δὲ πόδας χεῖράς τε δέον θυμαλγέϊ δεσμῷand bound his feet and hands with a heart-galling bond,
190εὖ μάλʼ ἀποστρέψαντε διαμπερές, ὡς ἐκέλευσενtwisting them well and thoroughly behind him, as commanded
υἱὸς Λαέρταο, πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·the son of Laertes, much-enduring godlike Odysseus.
σειρὴν δὲ πλεκτὴν ἐξ αὐτοῦ πειρήναντεAnd they fastened a braided rope about his body,
κίονʼ ἀνʼ ὑψηλὴν ἔρυσαν πέλασάν τε δοκοῖσι.and hauled him up along the high pillar, close to the rafters.
τὸν δʼ ἐπικερτομέων προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then mocking him you spoke, Eumaeus the swineherd:
195νῦν μὲν δὴ μάλα πάγχυ, Μελάνθιε, νύκτα
φυλάξεις,"Now surely, Melanthius, you shall keep watch all the night,
εὐνῇ ἔνι μαλακῇ καταλέγμενος, ὥς σε ἔοικεν·lying stretched on a soft bed, as befits you;
οὐδέ σέ γʼ ἠριγένεια παρʼ Ὠκεανοῖο ῥοάωνnor shall the early-born one from the streams of Ocean
λήσει ἐπερχομένη χρυσόθρονος, ἡνίκʼ ἀγινεῖςescape you as she comes, golden-throned, at the hour when you drive in
αἶγας μνηστήρεσσι δόμον κάτα δαῖτα πένεσθαι.the goats for the suitors, to make their feast throughout the house."
200ὣς ὁ μὲν αὖθι λέλειπτο, ταθεὶς ὀλοῷ ἐνὶ δεσμῷ·So he was left there, stretched in the deadly bond.
τὼ δʼ ἐς τεύχεα δύντε, θύρην ἐπιθέντε φαεινήν,The two, once armed, and having closed the shining door,
βήτην εἰς Ὀδυσῆα δαΐφρονα, ποικιλομήτην.went in to Odysseus, skilled in war, the man of many turns.
ἔνθα μένος πνείοντες ἐφέστασαν, οἱ μὲν ἐπʼ οὐδοῦThere they took their stand, breathing fury: on the threshold
τέσσαρες, οἱ δʼ ἔντοσθε δόμων πολέες τε καὶ ἐσθλοί.four of them, and within the house many brave men.
205τοῖσι δʼ ἐπʼ ἀγχίμολον θυγάτηρ Διὸς ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη,Then near to them came Athena, daughter of Zeus,
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν.likened to Mentor both in body and in voice.
τὴν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς γήθησεν ἰδὼν καὶ μῦθον ἔειπε·Odysseus rejoiced to see her, and spoke a word:
Μέντορ, ἄμυνον ἀρήν, μνῆσαι δʼ ἑτάροιο
φίλοιο,"Mentor, ward off ruin, remember your dear companion,
ὅς σʼ ἀγαθὰ ῥέζεσκον· ὁμηλικίην δέ μοί ἐσσι.who did you good service; you are of my own age."
210ὣς φάτʼ, ὀϊόμενος λαοσσόον ἔμμεν Ἀθήνην.So he spoke, guessing it was Athena, rouser of armies.
μνηστῆρες δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ὁμόκλεον ἐν μεγάροισι·And the suitors on the other side shouted through the hall;
πρῶτος τήν γʼ ἐνένιπε Δαμαστορίδης Ἀγέλαος·first among them Agelaus, son of Damastor, rebuked her:
Μέντορ, μή σʼ ἐπέεσσι παραιπεπίθῃσιν
Ὀδυσσεὺς"Mentor, do not let Odysseus persuade you with his words
μνηστήρεσσι μάχεσθαι, ἀμυνέμεναι δέ οἱ αὐτῷ.to fight against the suitors, and to defend him;
215ὧδε γὰρ ἡμέτερόν γε νόον τελέεσθαι ὀΐω·for I think our purpose will be brought to pass in this way:
ὁππότε κεν τούτους κτέωμεν, πατέρʼ ἠδὲ καὶ υἱόν,when we have killed these men, the father and the son,
ἐν δὲ σὺ τοῖσιν ἔπειτα πεφήσεαι, οἷα μενοινᾷςthen you too shall be slain among them, for the deeds you long
ἔρδειν ἐν μεγάροις· σῷ δʼ αὐτοῦ κράατι τίσεις.to do within the halls; with your own head you shall pay.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ὑμέων γε βίας ἀφελώμεθα χαλκῷ,And when with the bronze we have stripped you all of your strength,
220κτήμαθʼ ὁπόσσα τοί ἐστι, τά τʼ ἔνδοθι καὶ τὰ θύρηφι,whatever possessions are yours, within and outside,
τοῖσιν Ὀδυσσῆος μεταμίξομεν· οὐδέ τοι υἷαςwe shall mingle with those of Odysseus; nor shall we let your sons
ζώειν ἐν μεγάροισιν ἐάσομεν, οὐδέ θύγατραςlive on within your halls, nor your daughters,
οὐδʼ ἄλοχον κεδνὴν Ἰθάκης κατὰ ἄστυ πολεύειν.nor your faithful wife to move about the town of Ithaca."
ὣς φάτʼ, Ἀθηναίη δὲ χολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,So he spoke, and Athena grew more angry at heart,
225νείκεσσεν δʼ Ὀδυσῆα χολωτοῖσιν ἐπέεσσιν·and rebuked Odysseus with wrathful words:
οὐκέτι σοί γʼ, Ὀδυσεῦ, μένος ἔμπεδον οὐδέ τις
ἀλκή"No longer, Odysseus, is your strength steadfast, nor any valor
οἵη ὅτʼ ἀμφʼ Ἑλένῃ λευκωλένῳ εὐπατερείῃ,such as when for white-armed Helen, daughter of a noble sire,
εἰνάετες Τρώεσσιν ἐμάρναο νωλεμὲς αἰεί,you fought against the Trojans nine years without ceasing,
πολλοὺς δʼ ἄνδρας ἔπεφνες ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,and slew many men in the terrible strife,
230σῇ δʼ ἥλω βουλῇ Πριάμου πόλις εὐρυάγυια.and by your counsel the broad-wayed city of Priam was taken.
πῶς δὴ νῦν, ὅτε σόν τε δόμον καὶ κτήμαθʼ ἱκάνεις,How now, when you have come to your own house and possessions,
ἄντα μνηστήρων ὀλοφύρεαι ἄλκιμος εἶναι;do you complain of being brave in the face of the suitors?
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δεῦρο, πέπον, παρʼ ἔμʼ ἵστασο καὶ ἴδε ἔργον,But come here, my friend, stand beside me and watch the work,
ὄφρʼ εἰδῇς οἷός τοι ἐν ἀνδράσι δυσμενέεσσινso you may know what kind of man Mentor, son of Alcimus,
235Μέντωρ Ἀλκιμίδης εὐεργεσίας ἀποτίνειν.is, to repay good deeds among your enemies."
ἦ ῥα, καὶ οὔ πω πάγχυ δίδου ἑτεραλκέα νίκην,She spoke, but did not yet grant victory outright to either side,
ἀλλʼ ἔτʼ ἄρα σθένεός τε καὶ ἀλκῆς πειρήτιζενbut still she went on testing the strength and valor
ἠμὲν Ὀδυσσῆος ἠδʼ υἱοῦ κυδαλίμοιο.both of Odysseus and of his glorious son.
αὐτὴ δʼ αἰθαλόεντος ἀνὰ μεγάροιο μέλαθρονAnd she herself, up to the rafter of the smoky hall,
240ἕζετʼ ἀναΐξασα, χελιδόνι εἰκέλη ἄντην.darted and settled, in appearance like a swallow.
μνηστῆρας δʼ ὤτρυνε Δαμαστορίδης Ἀγέλαος,Then Agelaus, son of Damastor, urged the suitors on,
Εὐρύνομός τε καὶ Ἀμφιμέδων Δημοπτόλεμός τε,and Eurynomus, and Amphimedon, and Demoptolemus,
Πείσανδρός τε Πολυκτορίδης Πόλυβός τε δαΐφρων·and Peisander, son of Polyctor, and warlike Polybus—
οἱ γὰρ μνηστήρων ἀρετῇ ἔσαν ἔξοχʼ ἄριστοι,for these were far the best in valor of the suitors,
245ὅσσοι ἔτʼ ἔζωον περί τε ψυχέων ἐμάχοντο·of all who still lived and fought for their lives;
τοὺς δʼ ἤδη ἐδάμασσε βιὸς καὶ ταρφέες ἰοί.the rest the bow already and the thick arrows had subdued.
τοῖς δʼ Ἀγέλεως μετέειπεν, ἔπος πάντεσσι πιφαύσκων·To them Agelaus spoke, declaring his word to all:
ὦ φίλοι, ἤδη σχήσει ἀνὴρ ὅδε χεῖρας ἀάπτους·"Friends, now this man will hold back his invincible hands;
καὶ δή οἱ Μέντωρ μὲν ἔβη κενὰ εὔγματα εἰπών,indeed Mentor has left him, after voicing empty boasts,
250οἱ δʼ οἶοι λείπονται ἐπὶ πρώτῃσι θύρῃσι.and they are left alone at the front doors.
τῷ νῦν μὴ ἅμα πάντες ἐφίετε δούρατα μακρά,So now do not all together hurl your long spears,
ἀλλʼ ἄγεθʼ οἱ ἓξ πρῶτον ἀκοντίσατʼ, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺςbut come, you six cast first, in hope that Zeus
δώῃ Ὀδυσσῆα βλῆσθαι καὶ κῦδος ἀρέσθαι.may grant that Odysseus be struck and that we win glory.
τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὐ κῆδος, ἐπὴν οὗτός γε πέσῃσιν.Of the others there is no concern, once this man has fallen."
255ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκόντισαν ὡς
ἐκέλευεν,So he spoke, and they all hurled as he commanded,
ἱέμενοι· τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐτώσια θῆκεν Ἀθήνη,straining hard; but Athena made them all in vain,
τῶν ἄλλος μὲν σταθμὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιοfor one of them struck the doorpost of the well-built hall,
βεβλήκει, ἄλλος δὲ θύρην πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαν·another the close-fitted door,
ἄλλου δʼ ἐν τοίχῳ μελίη πέσε χαλκοβάρεια.and against the wall the bronze-heavy ash of another fell.
260αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ δούρατʼ ἀλεύαντο μνηστήρων,But when they had escaped the spears of the suitors,
τοῖς δʼ ἄρα μύθων ἦρχε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·much-enduring godlike Odysseus began to speak among them:
ὦ φίλοι, ἤδη μέν κεν ἐγὼν εἴποιμι καὶ ἄμμι"Friends, now I would say that we too should cast
μνηστήρων ἐς ὅμιλον ἀκοντίσαι, οἳ μεμάασινinto the throng of the suitors, who are eager
ἡμέας ἐξεναρίξαι ἐπὶ προτέροισι κακοῖσιν.to strip us of our arms, on top of their former wrongs."
265ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκόντισαν ὀξέα δοῦραSo he spoke, and they all hurled their sharp spears,
ἄντα τιτυσκόμενοι· Δημοπτόλεμον μὲν Ὀδυσσεύς,taking straight aim: Odysseus struck Demoptolemus,
Εὐρυάδην δʼ ἄρα Τηλέμαχος, Ἔλατον δὲ συβώτης,and Telemachus Euryades, and the swineherd Elatus,
Πείσανδρον δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπεφνε βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ.and Peisander was slain by the man who herded the cattle.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειθʼ ἅμα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἕλον ἄσπετον οὖδας,Then all of them together bit the boundless earth,
270μνηστῆρες δʼ ἀνεχώρησαν μεγάροιο μυχόνδε·and the suitors drew back into the inner hall;
τοὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπήϊξαν, νεκύων δʼ ἐξ ἔγχεʼ ἕλοντο.but the others rushed on and pulled their spears from the dead.
αὖτις δὲ μνηστῆρες ἀκόντισαν ὀξέα δοῦραAgain the suitors hurled their sharp spears,
ἱέμενοι· τὰ δὲ πολλὰ ἐτώσια θῆκεν Ἀθήνη.straining hard; but Athena made the many in vain.
τῶν ἄλλος μὲν σταθμὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιοFor one of them struck the doorpost of the well-built hall,
275βεβλήκειν, ἄλλος δὲ θύρην πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαν·another the close-fitted door,
ἄλλου δʼ ἐν τοίχῳ μελίη πέσε χαλκοβάρεια.and against the wall the bronze-heavy ash of another fell.
Ἀμφιμέδων δʼ ἄρα Τηλέμαχον βάλε χεῖρʼ ἐπὶ καρπῷAmphimedon struck Telemachus on the hand at the wrist,
λίγδην, ἄκρον δὲ ῥινὸν δηλήσατο χαλκός.a grazing blow, and the bronze tore the surface of his skin.
Κτήσιππος δʼ Εὔμαιον ὑπὲρ σάκος ἔγχεϊ μακρῷAnd Ctesippus grazed the shoulder of Eumaeus above his shield
280ὦμον ἐπέγραψεν· τὸ δʼ ὑπέρπτατο, πῖπτε δʼ ἔραζε.with his long spear; but it flew over and fell to the ground.
τοὶ δʼ αὖτʼ ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆα δαΐφρονα ποικιλομήτην,But those about Odysseus, the fierce and cunning one,
μνηστήρων ἐς ὅμιλον ἀκόντισαν ὀξέα δοῦρα.hurled their sharp spears into the crowd of suitors.
ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρυδάμαντα βάλε πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεύς,And there Odysseus the sacker of cities struck Eurydamas,
Ἀμφιμέδοντα δὲ Τηλέμαχος, Πόλυβον δὲ συβώτης·and Telemachus struck Amphimedon, and the swineherd Polybus;
285Κτήσιππον δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνὴρand Ctesippus then the man who herded cattle
βεβλήκει πρὸς στῆθος, ἐπευχόμενος δὲ προσηύδα·struck full in the chest, and boasting spoke to him:
ὦ Πολυθερσεΐδη φιλοκέρτομε, μή ποτε πάμπαν"Son of Polytherses, lover of mockery, never again
εἴκων ἀφραδίῃς μέγα εἰπεῖν, ἀλλὰ θεοῖσινyielding to folly speak so big, but leave the word
μῦθον ἐπιτρέψαι, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτεροί εἰσι.to the gods, since they are far mightier by far.
290τοῦτό τοι ἀντὶ ποδὸς ξεινήϊον, ὅν ποτʼ ἔδωκαςThis is your guest-gift in return for the cow's foot you gave
ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆϊ δόμον κάτʼ ἀλητεύοντι.once to godlike Odysseus, when he begged through the house."
ἦ ῥα βοῶν ἑλίκων ἐπιβουκόλος· αὐτὰρ ὈδυσσεὺςSo spoke the herdsman of the shambling cattle; and Odysseus
οὖτα Δαμαστορίδην αὐτοσχεδὸν ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ.stabbed the son of Damastor at close quarters with his long spear.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ Εὐηνορίδην Λειώκριτον οὖταAnd Telemachus stabbed Leocritus, son of Euenor,
295δουρὶ μέσον κενεῶνα, διαπρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσεν·with his spear in the midriff, and drove the bronze clean through;
ἤριπε δὲ πρηνής, χθόνα δʼ ἤλασε παντὶ μετώπῳ.he toppled headlong, and struck the ground with all his forehead.
δὴ τότʼ Ἀθηναίη φθισίμβροτον αἰγίδʼ ἀνέσχενThen Athena raised up her man-destroying aegis
ὑψόθεν ἐξ ὀροφῆς· τῶν δὲ φρένες ἐπτοίηθεν.from high above, out of the roof; and their hearts were terrified.
οἱ δʼ ἐφέβοντο κατὰ μέγαρον βόες ὣς ἀγελαῖαι·They fled down the hall like a herd of cattle
300τὰς μέν τʼ αἰόλος οἶστρος ἐφορμηθεὶς ἐδόνησενthat a darting gadfly falls upon and drives to frenzy
ὥρῃ ἐν εἰαρινῇ, ὅτε τʼ ἤματα μακρὰ πέλονται.in the season of spring, when the days are long.
οἱ δʼ ὥς τʼ αἰγυπιοὶ γαμψώνυχες ἀγκυλοχεῖλαι,And the others, like vultures with crooked talons and hooked beaks,
ἐξ ὀρέων ἐλθόντες ἐπʼ ὀρνίθεσσι θόρωσι·come down from the mountains and swoop upon the smaller birds;
ταὶ μέν τʼ ἐν πεδίῳ νέφεα πτώσσουσαι ἵενται,these cower in the plain and dart beneath the clouds,
305οἱ δέ τε τὰς ὀλέκουσιν ἐπάλμενοι, οὐδέ τις ἀλκὴbut the vultures leap and destroy them, and there is no defense
γίγνεται οὐδὲ φυγή· χαίρουσι δέ τʼ ἀνέρες ἄγρῃ·and no flight; and men rejoice in the hunting;
ὣς ἄρα τοὶ μνηστῆρας ἐπεσσύμενοι κατὰ δῶμαso they, rushing upon the suitors down the hall,
τύπτον ἐπιστροφάδην· τῶν δὲ στόνος ὤρνυτʼ ἀεικὴςstruck them, turning this way and that; and a hideous groaning rose
κράτων τυπτομένων, δάπεδον δʼ ἅπαν αἵματι θῦε.as their heads were struck, and all the floor ran with blood.
310Λειώδης δʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἐπεσσύμενος λάβε γούνων,Then Leodes rushed and caught Odysseus by the knees,
καί μιν λισσόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and beseeching him spoke winged words:
γουνοῦμαί σʼ, Ὀδυσεῦ· σὺ δέ μʼ αἴδεο καί μʼ
ἐλέησον·"I clasp your knees, Odysseus; respect me and pity me;
οὐ γάρ πώ τινά φημι γυναικῶν ἐν μεγάροισινfor I say I never spoke to any of the women in the halls
εἰπεῖν οὐδέ τι ῥέξαι ἀτάσθαλον· ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄλλουςany reckless word, nor did any reckless deed; no, I even
315παύεσκον μνηστῆρας, ὅτις τοιαῦτά γε ῥέζοι.tried to stop the other suitors, whoever would do such things.
ἀλλά μοι οὐ πείθοντο κακῶν ἄπο χεῖρας ἔχεσθαι·But they would not obey me and hold their hands from evil;
τῷ καὶ ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐπέσπον.and so through their own recklessness they met their shameful doom.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μετὰ τοῖσι θυοσκόος οὐδὲν ἐοργὼςBut I, their soothsayer, who did nothing, must
κείσομαι, ὡς οὐκ ἔστι χάρις μετόπισθʼ εὐεργέων·lie here among them—there is no thanks hereafter for good deeds."
320τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then looking darkly at him resourceful Odysseus said:
εἰ μὲν δὴ μετὰ τοῖσι θυοσκόος εὔχεαι εἶναι,"If indeed you claim to have been their soothsayer among them,
πολλάκι που μέλλεις ἀρήμεναι ἐν μεγάροισιthen many times, I think, you must have prayed within these halls
τηλοῦ ἐμοὶ νόστοιο τέλος γλυκεροῖο γενέσθαι,that the goal of my sweet homecoming stay far from me,
σοὶ δʼ ἄλοχόν τε φίλην σπέσθαι καὶ τέκνα τεκέσθαι·and that my dear wife should follow you and bear you children;
325τῷ οὐκ ἂν θάνατόν γε δυσηλεγέα προφύγοισθα.therefore you shall not escape this bitter, grievous death."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ξίφος εἵλετο χειρὶ παχείῃSo he spoke, and with his heavy hand he seized the sword
κείμενον, ὅ ῥʼ Ἀγέλαος ἀποπροέηκε χαμᾶζεthat lay there, which Agelaus had let fall to the ground
κτεινόμενος· τῷ τόν γε κατʼ αὐχένα μέσσον ἔλασσε.as he was killed; with this he drove clean through his neck.
φθεγγομένου δʼ ἄρα τοῦ γε κάρη κονίῃσιν ἐμίχθη.And still crying out, his head was mingled with the dust.
330Τερπιάδης δʼ ἔτʼ ἀοιδὸς ἀλύσκανε κῆρα μέλαιναν,But the son of Terpes, the bard, was still escaping his black doom,
Φήμιος, ὅς ῥʼ ἤειδε μετὰ μνηστῆρσιν ἀνάγκῃ.Phemius, who used to sing among the suitors under compulsion.
ἔστη δʼ ἐν χείρεσσίν ἔχων φόρμιγγα λίγειανHe stood there holding the clear-toned lyre in his hands
ἄγχι παρʼ ὀρσοθύρην· δίχα δὲ φρεσὶ μερμήριζεν,near the side-door, and in his mind he pondered two ways,
ἢ ἐκδὺς μεγάροιο Διὸς μεγάλου ποτὶ βωμὸνwhether to slip from the hall and sit at the well-built altar
335ἑρκείου ἵζοιτο τετυγμένον, ἔνθʼ ἄρα πολλὰof great Zeus of the Court, where in the past so many times
Λαέρτης Ὀδυσεύς τε βοῶν ἐπὶ μηρίʼ ἔκηαν,Laertes and Odysseus had burned the thighs of oxen,
ἦ γούνων λίσσοιτο προσαΐξας Ὀδυσῆα.or to rush forward and clasp Odysseus by the knees in prayer.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,And as he pondered, this seemed to him the better course,
γούνων ἅψασθαι Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.to lay hold of the knees of Odysseus, son of Laertes.
340ἦ τοι ὁ φόρμιγγα γλαφυρὴν κατέθηκε χαμᾶζεSo he set the hollow lyre down upon the ground
μεσσηγὺς κρητῆρος ἰδὲ θρόνου ἀργυροήλου,between the mixing-bowl and the silver-studded chair,
αὐτὸς δʼ αὖτʼ Ὀδυσῆα προσαΐξας λάβε γούνων,and he himself rushed forward and caught Odysseus by the knees,
καί μιν λισσόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and beseeching him spoke winged words:
γουνοῦμαί σʼ, Ὀδυσεῦ· σὺ δέ μʼ αἴδεο καί μʼ
ἐλέησον·"I clasp your knees, Odysseus; respect me and pity me;
345αὐτῷ τοι μετόπισθʼ ἄχος ἔσσεται, εἴ κεν ἀοιδὸνthere will be grief for you hereafter if you kill a bard,
πέφνῃς, ὅς τε θεοῖσι καὶ ἀνθρώποισιν ἀείδω.one who sings for gods and for men alike.
αὐτοδίδακτος δʼ εἰμί, θεὸς δέ μοι ἐν φρεσὶν οἴμαςI am self-taught, and a god has planted in my mind
παντοίας ἐνέφυσεν· ἔοικα δέ τοι παραείδεινsongs of every kind; I am fit to sing before you
ὥς τε θεῷ· τῷ μή με λιλαίεο δειροτομῆσαι.as before a god; so do not be eager to cut my throat.
350καί κεν Τηλέμαχος τάδε γʼ εἴποι, σὸς φίλος υἱός,Telemachus too could tell you this, your own dear son,
ὡς ἐγὼ οὔ τι ἑκὼν ἐς σὸν δόμον οὐδὲ χατίζωνthat it was not by my will nor out of any need
πωλεύμην μνηστῆρσιν ἀεισόμενος μετὰ δαῖτας,I came to your house to sing for the suitors after their feasts,
ἀλλὰ πολὺ πλέονες καὶ κρείσσονες ἦγον ἀνάγκῃ.but they, being more and mightier, brought me here by force."
ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δʼ ἤκουσʼ ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο,So he spoke, and the hallowed strength of Telemachus heard him,
355αἶψα δʼ ἑὸν πατέρα προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα·and quickly he called to his father, who was near:
ἴσχεο μηδέ τι τοῦτον ἀναίτιον οὔταε χαλκῷ·"Hold back, and do not wound this innocent man with the bronze;
καὶ κήρυκα Μέδοντα σαώσομεν, ὅς τέ μευ αἰεὶand let us spare the herald Medon too, who always
οἴκῳ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ κηδέσκετο παιδὸς ἐόντος,cared for me in our house when I was a child,
εἰ δὴ μή μιν ἔπεφνε Φιλοίτιος ἠὲ συβώτης,unless Philoetius has already killed him, or the swineherd,
360ἠὲ σοὶ ἀντεβόλησεν ὀρινομένῳ κατὰ δῶμα.or he met you as you raged throughout the house."
ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δʼ ἤκουσε Μέδων πεπνυμένα εἰδώς·So he spoke, and Medon heard him, a man of prudent mind;
πεπτηὼς γὰρ ἔκειτο ὑπὸ θρόνον, ἀμφὶ δὲ δέρμαfor he lay crouched beneath a chair, and around him
ἕστο βοὸς νεόδαρτον, ἀλύσκων κῆρα μέλαιναν.he had wrapped the fresh-flayed hide of an ox, dodging black death.
αἶψα δʼ ἀπὸ θρόνου ὦρτο, θοῶς δʼ ἀπέδυνε βοείηνQuickly he rose from beneath the chair, swiftly threw off the ox-hide,
365Τηλέμαχον δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα προσαΐξας λάβε γούνων,and then, springing to Telemachus, he clasped him by the knees,
καί μιν λισσόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and pleading with him he spoke winged words:
ὦ φίλʼ, ἐγὼ μὲν ὅδʼ εἰμί, σὺ δʼ ἴσχεο εἰπὲ δὲ
πατρὶ"Friend, here I am; hold back, and speak to your father,
μή με περισθενέων δηλήσεται ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,that he not harm me with the sharp bronze in his great strength,
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων κεχολωμένος, οἵ οἱ ἔκειρονin his fury at the suitors, the men who wasted
370κτήματʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροις, σὲ δὲ νήπιοι οὐδὲν ἔτιον.his goods in the halls, and in their folly gave you no honor."
τὸν δʼ ἐπιμειδήσας προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·Then, smiling at him, resourceful Odysseus said:
θάρσει, ἐπεὶ δή σʼ οὗτος ἐρύσσατο καὶ ἐσάωσεν,"Take heart, for this man has rescued you and saved you,
ὄφρα γνῷς κατὰ θυμόν, ἀτὰρ εἴπῃσθα καὶ ἄλλῳ,so that you may know it in your heart, and tell it to another,
ὡς κακοεργίης εὐεργεσίη μέγʼ ἀμείνων.how doing good is far better than doing evil.
375ἀλλʼ ἐξελθόντες μεγάρων ἕζεσθε θύραζεBut go out from the hall and sit down outside,
ἐκ φόνου εἰς αὐλήν, σύ τε καὶ πολύφημος ἀοιδός,away from the slaughter, in the courtyard, you and the famous singer,
ὄφρʼ ἂν ἐγὼ κατὰ δῶμα πονήσομαι ὅττεό με χρή.while I do the work throughout the house that I must do."
ὣς φάτο, τὼ δʼ ἔξω βήτην μεγάροιο κιόντε,So he spoke, and the two went out and left the hall,
ἑζέσθην δʼ ἄρα τώ γε Διὸς μεγάλου ποτὶ βωμόν,and the two of them sat down by the altar of great Zeus,
380πάντοσε παπταίνοντε, φόνον ποτιδεγμένω αἰεί.glancing everywhere about them, still expecting death.
πάπτηνεν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς καθʼ ἑὸν δόμον, εἴ τις ἔτʼ ἀνδρῶνAnd Odysseus peered throughout his house, to see if any man
ζωὸς ὑποκλοπέοιτο, ἀλύσκων κῆρα μέλαιναν.still lived and lay hidden, dodging black death.
τοὺς δὲ ἴδεν μάλα πάντας ἐν αἵματι καὶ κονίῃσιBut he saw them all, every one, fallen in blood and dust,
πεπτεῶτας πολλούς, ὥστʼ ἰχθύας, οὕς θʼ ἁλιῆεςthe many of them, like fish that fishermen
385κοῖλον ἐς αἰγιαλὸν πολιῆς ἔκτοσθε θαλάσσηςhave hauled up onto the curving shore from the grey sea
δικτύῳ ἐξέρυσαν πολυωπῷ· οἱ δέ τε πάντεςin a net with many meshes; and they all,
κύμαθʼ ἁλὸς ποθέοντες ἐπὶ ψαμάθοισι κέχυνται·longing for the waves of the sea, lie heaped on the sand,
τῶν μέν τʼ Ἠέλιος φαέθων ἐξείλετο θυμόν·and the blazing Sun takes away their life;
ὣς τότʼ ἄρα μνηστῆρες ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισι κέχυντο.so then the suitors lay heaped upon each other.
390δὴ τότε Τηλέμαχον προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus spoke to Telemachus:
Τηλέμαχʼ, εἰ δʼ ἄγε μοι κάλεσον τροφὸν
Εὐρύκλειαν,"Telemachus, come now, call the nurse Eurycleia to me,
ὄφρα ἔπος εἴπωμι τό μοι καταθύμιόν ἐστιν.that I may tell her the word that is in my mind."
ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ φίλῳ ἐπεπείθετο πατρί,So he spoke, and Telemachus obeyed his dear father,
κινήσας δὲ θύρην προσέφη τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν·and shaking the door he spoke to the nurse Eurycleia:
395δεῦρο δὴ ὄρσο, γρηῢ παλαιγενές, ἥ τε
γυναικῶν"Come here, rise up, old woman born long ago, you who are
δμῳάων σκοπός ἐσσι κατὰ μέγαρʼ ἡμετεράων·the overseer of the serving women throughout our halls;
ἔρχεο· κικλήσκει σε πατὴρ ἐμός, ὄφρα τι εἴπῃ.come, my father is calling you, that he may tell you something."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, τῇ δʼ ἄπτερος ἔπλετο μῦθος,So he spoke, and no word of his flew idle from her,
ὤϊξεν δὲ θύρας μεγάρων εὖ ναιεταόντων,and she opened the doors of the well-built halls,
400βῆ δʼ ἴμεν· αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος πρόσθʼ ἡγεμόνευεν.and came; and Telemachus led the way before her.
εὗρεν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα μετὰ κταμένοισι νέκυσσιν,Then she found Odysseus among the slaughtered corpses,
αἵματι καὶ λύθρῳ πεπαλαγμένον ὥστε λέοντα,spattered with blood and gore like a lion
ὅς ῥά τε βεβρωκὼς βοὸς ἔρχεται ἀγραύλοιο·that comes from feeding upon an ox of the field:
πᾶν δʼ ἄρα οἱ στῆθός τε παρήϊά τʼ ἀμφοτέρωθενall his chest and his cheeks on both sides
405αἱματόεντα πέλει, δεινὸς δʼ εἰς ὦπα ἰδέσθαι·are bloody, and he is terrible to look upon;
ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς πεπάλακτο πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν.so Odysseus was spattered, his feet and hands above.
ἡ δʼ ὡς οὖν νέκυάς τε καὶ ἄσπετον εἴσιδεν αἷμα,And she, when she saw the corpses and the boundless blood,
ἴθυσέν ῥʼ ὀλολύξαι, ἐπεὶ μέγα εἴσιδεν ἔργον·made ready to cry aloud in triumph, seeing the great work done;
ἀλλʼ Ὀδυσεὺς κατέρυκε καὶ ἔσχεθεν ἱεμένην περ,but Odysseus checked and restrained her, eager as she was,
410καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and lifting his voice he spoke winged words to her:
ἐν θυμῷ, γρηῦ, χαῖρε καὶ ἴσχεο μηδʼ ὀλόλυζε·"Rejoice in your heart, old woman, but hold back and do not cry aloud;
οὐχ ὁσίη κταμένοισιν ἐπʼ ἀνδράσιν εὐχετάασθαι.it is no holy thing to boast over slain men.
τούσδε δὲ μοῖρʼ ἐδάμασσε θεῶν καὶ σχέτλια ἔργα·These the fate of the gods brought down, and their own reckless deeds;
οὔ τινα γὰρ τίεσκον ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων,for they honored no one of the men upon the earth,
415οὐ κακὸν οὐδὲ μὲν ἐσθλόν, ὅτις σφέας εἰσαφίκοιτο·neither base nor noble, whoever came among them;
τῷ καὶ ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐπέσπον.and so by their own recklessness they met a shameful doom.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι σὺ γυναῖκας ἐνὶ μεγάροις κατάλεξον,But come now, tell me of the women in the halls,
αἵ τέ μʼ ἀτιμάζουσι καὶ αἳ νηλείτιδές εἰσιν.which ones dishonor me and which are guiltless."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια·Then his dear nurse Eurycleia answered him:
420τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, τέκνον, ἀληθείην καταλέξω."Then I, my child, will tell you the truth.
πεντήκοντά τοί εἰσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναῖκεςYou have fifty women within the halls,
δμῳαί, τὰς μέν τʼ ἔργα διδάξαμεν ἐργάζεσθαι,serving women, whom we have taught to do their work,
εἴριά τε ξαίνειν καὶ δουλοσύνην ἀνέχεσθαι·to card wool and to endure their servitude;
τάων δώδεκα πᾶσαι ἀναιδείης ἐπέβησαν,of these twelve in all have taken the path of shamelessness,
425οὔτʼ ἐμὲ τίουσαι οὔτʼ αὐτὴν Πηνελόπειαν.honoring neither me nor Penelope herself.
Τηλέμαχος δὲ νέον μὲν ἀέξετο, οὐδέ ἑ μήτηρAnd Telemachus was but newly grown, and his mother
σημαίνειν εἴασκεν ἐπὶ δμῳῇσι γυναιξίν.would not let him give orders to the serving women.
ἀλλʼ ἄγʼ ἐγὼν ἀναβᾶσʼ ὑπερώϊα σιγαλόενταBut come, let me go up to the shining upper chamber
εἴπω σῇ ἀλόχῳ, τῇ τις θεὸς ὕπνον ἐπῶρσε.and tell your wife, on whom some god has sent sleep."
430τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις ὈδυσσεύςThen resourceful Odysseus answered her and said:
μή πω τήνδʼ ἐπέγειρε· σὺ δʼ ἐνθάδε εἰπὲ γυναιξὶν"Do not yet wake her; but tell the women here
ἐλθέμεν, αἵ περ πρόσθεν ἀεικέα μηχανόωντο.to come, those who before contrived shameful things."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, γρηῢς δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκειSo he spoke, and the old woman went out through the hall
ἀγγελέουσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι.to give the message to the women and urge them to come.
435αὐτὰρ ὁ Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτηνBut he called Telemachus and the oxherd and the swineherd
εἰς ἓ καλεσσάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·to himself, and spoke winged words to them:
ἄρχετε νῦν νέκυας φορέειν καὶ ἄνωχθε
γυναῖκας·"Begin now to carry out the corpses, and command the women;
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα θρόνους περικαλλέας ἠδὲ τραπέζαςand afterwards the beautiful chairs and the tables
ὕδατι καὶ σπόγγοισι πολυτρήτοισι καθαίρειν.cleanse with water and porous sponges.
440αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ πάντα δόμον κατακοσμήσησθε,But when you have set all the house in order,
δμῳὰς ἐξαγαγόντες ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο,lead the serving women out of the well-built hall,
μεσσηγύς τε θόλου καὶ ἀμύμονος ἕρκεος αὐλῆς,between the round-house and the fine wall of the courtyard,
θεινέμεναι ξίφεσιν τανυήκεσιν, εἰς ὅ κε πασέωνand strike them with your long-edged swords, until from all of them
ψυχὰς ἐξαφέλησθε καὶ ἐκλελάθωντʼ Ἀφροδίτης,you take their lives, and they forget Aphrodite,
445τὴν ἄρʼ ὑπὸ μνηστῆρσιν ἔχον μίσγοντό τε λάθρη.which they had under the suitors, mingling with them in secret."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες ἀολλέες ἦλθον ἅπασαι,So he spoke, and the women came all thronging together,
αἴνʼ ὀλοφυρόμεναι, θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσαι.wailing terribly, and shedding great tears.
πρῶτα μὲν οὖν νέκυας φόρεον κατατεθνηῶτας,First then they carried out the bodies of the slain,
κὰδ δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπʼ αἰθούσῃ τίθεσαν εὐερκέος αὐλῆς,and set them down under the portico of the well-fenced court,
450ἀλλήλοισιν ἐρείδουσαι· σήμαινε δʼ Ὀδυσσεὺςpropping them against one another; and Odysseus himself
αὐτὸς ἐπισπέρχων· ταὶ δʼ ἐκφόρεον καὶ ἀνάγκῃ.gave the orders, urging them on; they carried out by force.
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα θρόνους περικαλλέας ἠδὲ τραπέζαςThen afterwards the beautiful chairs and the tables
ὕδατι καὶ σπόγγοισι πολυτρήτοισι κάθαιρον.they cleansed with water and with porous sponges.
αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος καὶ βουκόλος ἠδὲ συβώτῃςBut Telemachus and the oxherd and the swineherd
455λίστροισιν δάπεδον πύκα ποιητοῖο δόμοιοwith shovels scraped the floor of the strong-built house
ξῦον· ταὶ δʼ ἐφόρεον δμῳαί, τίθεσαν δὲ θύραζε.clean; and the serving women carried it out and set it outside.
αὐτὰρ ἐπειδὴ πᾶν μέγαρον διεκοσμήσαντο,But when they had set all the great hall in order,
δμῳὰς δʼ ἐξαγαγόντες ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο,they led the serving women out of the well-built hall,
μεσσηγύς τε θόλου καὶ ἀμύμονος ἕρκεος αὐλῆς,between the round-house and the fine wall of the courtyard,
460εἴλεον ἐν στείνει, ὅθεν οὔ πως ἦεν ἀλύξαι.and penned them in a narrow place, from which there was no escape.
τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἦρχʼ ἀγορεύειν·Then thoughtful Telemachus was the first to speak among them:
μὴ μὲν δὴ καθαρῷ θανάτῳ ἀπὸ θυμὸν ἑλοίμην"Let me not take by a clean death the life away
τάων, αἳ δὴ ἐμῇ κεφαλῇ κατʼ ὀνείδεα χεῦανfrom these, who poured reproaches on my head
μητέρι θʼ ἡμετέρῃ παρά τε μνηστῆρσιν ἴαυον.and on my mother, and slept beside the suitors."
465ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, καὶ πεῖσμα νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιοSo he spoke, and the cable of a dark-prowed ship
κίονος ἐξάψας μεγάλης περίβαλλε θόλοιο,he fastened to a great pillar and flung it round the round-house,
ὑψόσʼ ἐπεντανύσας, μή τις ποσὶν οὖδας ἵκοιτο.stretching it high, so that none might reach the ground with her feet.
ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἢ κίχλαι τανυσίπτεροι ἠὲ πέλειαιAnd as when either long-winged thrushes or doves
ἕρκει ἐνιπλήξωσι, τό θʼ ἑστήκῃ ἐνὶ θάμνῳ,blunder into a snare that stands set within a thicket,
470αὖλιν ἐσιέμεναι, στυγερὸς δʼ ὑπεδέξατο κοῖτος,as they seek their roost, and a hateful bed receives them,
ὣς αἵ γʼ ἑξείης κεφαλὰς ἔχον, ἀμφὶ δὲ πάσαιςso these held their heads in a row, and about the necks
δειρῇσι βρόχοι ἦσαν, ὅπως οἴκτιστα θάνοιεν.of all were nooses, so that they might die most piteously.
ἤσπαιρον δὲ πόδεσσι μίνυνθά περ οὔ τι μάλα δήν.They struggled with their feet a little while, but not for long.
ἐκ δὲ Μελάνθιον ἦγον ἀνὰ πρόθυρόν τε καὶ αὐλήν·Then they led Melanthius out through the porch and the court;
475τοῦ δʼ ἀπὸ μὲν ῥῖνάς τε καὶ οὔατα νηλέϊ χαλκῷand they cut off his nose and his ears with pitiless bronze,
τάμνον, μήδεά τʼ ἐξέρυσαν, κυσὶν ὠμὰ δάσασθαι,and tore away his genitals, raw for the dogs to eat,
χεῖράς τʼ ἠδὲ πόδας κόπτον κεκοτηότι θυμῷ.and lopped off his hands and feet with an angry heart.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀπονιψάμενοι χεῖράς τε πόδας τεThen, when they had washed their hands and feet,
εἰς Ὀδυσῆα δόμονδε κίον, τετέλεστο δὲ ἔργον·they went to Odysseus in the house, and the work was done;
480αὐτὰρ ὅ γε προσέειπε φίλην τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν·but he himself spoke to his dear nurse Eurycleia:
οἶσε θέειον, γρηΰ, κακῶν ἄκος, οἶσε δέ μοι πῦρ,"Bring sulfur, old woman, the cure for evils, and bring me fire,
ὄφρα θεειώσω μέγαρον· σὺ δὲ Πηνελόπειανso that I may fumigate the hall; and you, tell Penelope
ἐλθεῖν ἐνθάδʼ ἄνωχθι σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξί·to come here, together with her attendant women;
πάσας δʼ ὄτρυνον δμῳὰς κατὰ δῶμα νέεσθαι.and rouse all the serving-women through the house to come."
485τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια·Then his dear nurse Eurycleia spoke to him in turn:
ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε, τέκνον ἐμόν, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες."Yes, my child, all this you have said in due measure.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε τοι χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματʼ ἐνείκω,But come, let me bring you a cloak and tunic for clothing,
μηδʼ οὕτω ῥάκεσιν πεπυκασμένος εὐρέας ὤμουςand do not stand thus in the halls with your broad shoulders
ἕσταθʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι· νεμεσσητὸν δέ κεν εἴη.covered in rags; that would be a thing for blame."
490τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered her and said:
πῦρ νῦν μοι πρώτιστον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γενέσθω."Let fire now be my first concern here in the halls."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια,So he spoke, and his dear nurse Eurycleia did not disobey,
ἤνεικεν δʼ ἄρα πῦρ καὶ θήϊον· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςbut brought the fire and the sulfur; and Odysseus
εὖ διεθείωσεν μέγαρον καὶ δῶμα καὶ αὐλήν.thoroughly fumigated the hall and the house and the court.
495γρηῢς δʼ αὖτʼ ἀπέβη διὰ δώματα κάλʼ ὈδυσῆοςThen the old woman went off through the fair house of Odysseus
ἀγγελέουσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι·to carry word to the women and to rouse them to come;
αἱ δʼ ἴσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαι.and they came from the hall with torches in their hands.
αἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἀμφεχέοντο καὶ ἠσπάζοντʼ Ὀδυσῆα,They gathered round Odysseus and welcomed him,
καὶ κύνεον ἀγαπαξόμεναι κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὤμουςand in their love they kissed his head and his shoulders
500χεῖράς τʼ αἰνύμεναι· τὸν δὲ γλυκὺς ἵμερος ᾕρειand took his hands; and a sweet longing seized him
κλαυθμοῦ καὶ στοναχῆς, γίγνωσκε δʼ ἄρα φρεσὶ πάσας.for weeping and lament, for he knew them all in his heart.